Decisions That Parents With Shared Parental Responsibility Should Make Together After A Divorce

In Florida, crucial child-related decisions must be made when parents get a divorce. One of the most vital child-related decisions Florida courts make when parents divorce is how to divide parental responsibility. Parental responsibility is a parent’s legal rights, responsibilities, power, and authority over a child. If a person has parental responsibility for a child, they have the right to decide about their (the child’s) care and upbringing.

In Florida, courts believe in awarding shared parental responsibility. According to Florida Statute 61.046, this is when both parents share equal rights and responsibilities with regard to their child. Shared parental responsibility is when parents jointly consult each other before making major decisions affecting their child’s welfare. A Florida court will only decide not to order shared parental responsibility if such an arrangement is detrimental to the child. For example, a history of domestic violence may lead to the court not ordering shared parental responsibility.

After the court orders shared parental responsibility, there are several decisions both parents are required to make together. The following are some of these decisions;

Education

One of the major decisions parents with equal rights and responsibilities in respect to their child and their upbringing should make together is the decision about their child’s education. One parent may want their child to be homeschooled, while the other wants their child to be part of the traditional school system. Also, one parent may want their child to attend a public school, while the other may want their child to attend a private school. In a shared parental responsibility situation, both parents should consult each other before making a decision about their child’s education. Both parents should consent before a final decision is reached.

Healthcare

Several medical procedures can cause conflicts between parents. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic led to varying opinions on subjects like vaccinations. Some parents were okay with their children getting vaccines, whereas others were against it. Other medical procedures that can cause conflicts between parents include hormone treatment and gender-reassignment surgery. Under a shared parental responsibility system, parents have an equal say in these and other medical-related matters.

Religion

Different religious views can cause major problems between parents. For example, if one parent converts to Islam after remarriage and the other remains a Christian, a disagreement may arise over which religion the child should follow. Disagreements may also arise if a child wishes to join a particular religious group on their own. While one parent might be okay with their child’s decision, the other might feel concerned about their child’s decisions. Again, under a shared parental responsibility system, both parents are required to consult each other and make a decision together.

Other Decisions Parents With Shared Parental Responsibility Should Make Together

The above mentioned issues represent three major decisions parents with shared parental responsibility should make together. However, there are many other decisions parents with shared parental responsibility should make together, including the following;

• Decisions on when a child is allowed to date
• Decisions on when a child can attend summer camp
• Decisions on when a child can drive
• Decisions on how a child should be disciplined

Contact an Orlando Family Lawyer

If you need assistance with a family law-related matter, do not hesitate to contact a qualified Orlando family lawyer at the Arwani Law Firm.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.046.html#:~:text=(17)%E2%80%83%E2%80%9CShared,be%20determined%20jointly